CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL Annual Report 2012-13
Executive Address 2012-2013 Board of Directors Greg Daniel, Chair ryan Broddrick, Vice Chair Tom Tolliver, Secretary James Provenzano, Treasurer Bill Wright, District 1 Director David Honeyman, District 2 Director Bart Price, District 3 Director Craig Grilione, District 4 Director Terry Holberton III, DISTRICT 5 Director Bart Weitzenberg, District 6 Director Tracey Fremd, Director Jay Goble, Director Wilbur Smith III, Director Peter Raffetto, Director Rocque Merlo, Director Greg Daniel Chairman of the Board John Carlson, Jr. President The 2012-13 fiscal year was filled with accomplishments for California Waterfowl. More than 18,000 members continued to support our shared mission for the conservation of California s waterfowl, wetlands and hunting heritage. During the past year we were able to implement some exciting new programs as well as continue many of our award-winning conservation and heritage programs. Here are just a few of the highlights: In the summer of 2013, California Waterfowl was able to hire a full-time staff person, Jeff Volberg, whose time will be dedicated solely to water-related issues, including the Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and the Bay Delta Conservation Plan. Jeff s law background and longtime experience in the water arena as both a lobbyist and consultant will serve waterfowl interests well in the coming years. Our Heritage and Education Department established two regional education centers on 1,700 acres in the Suisun Marsh that will be used to host youth hunts, outdoor camps and other conservation outreach events. Look for more to come later this year on more events and activities there. Other Heritage and Education accomplishments included reaching 650 people through the Hunt Program, which offered 200 hunts at 75 private properties across the state. Outreach events reached 25,000 youth and their families through classroom presentations, field trips and festivals. California Waterfowl continued reaching tomorrow s leaders through College Camp, internships and scholarships. The Waterfowl and Wetlands Department completed 102 projects on 31,700 acres of wetland, riparian and breeding habitat. Thirty-six percent of these projects benefited public hunting areas. Waterfowl biologists banded 11,000 ducks though trapping programs and egg-salvage efforts, including 1,920 pintail. And the California Wood Duck Program hatched more than 40,000 ducklings through the help of hundreds of volunteers across the state. The Fund and Membership Development Department experienced an impressive year with grassroots fundraising bringing in $1.5 million to support California Waterfowl s conservation, heritage and public policy programs. These fundraisers recruited more than 80 percent of our membership, with 13,000 people attending events last year. We welcomed Kruger Farms to our Corporate Partner Program, joining Federal Premium Ammunition, Loyall Premium Dog Food, Pro Line and Tri-Tronics. The development team expanded our Planned Giving Program with the addition of new planning tools available to members through our website, as well as several members sharing their legacy stories in the California Waterfowl magazine. California Waterfowl s many achievements during 2012-13 would not have been possible without you, our passionate and dedicated membership. As we continue our missiondriven programs in the coming fiscal year, please continue your support of our efforts to conserve California s waterfowl, wetlands and our hunting heritage. AR-2
WATERFOWL And Wetlands Field biologists and volunteers were extremely productive in 2012, conserving thousands of acres of critical waterfowl habitat. With the help of our members and volunteers, California Waterfowl is well positioned to grow conservation programs in the years to come to ensure healthy waterfowl populations continue to provide ample outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations. 31,700 ACRES OF WATERFOWL HABITAT CONSERVED In 2012, California Waterfowl completed 102 individual projects and improved 31,700 acres of waterfowl habitat while spending over $6 million in the Grasslands, Tulare Basin, Southern California, North Sacramento Valley, Suisun Marsh and Northeastern California. More than 2,300 acres of new wetland areas and 62 acres of riparian habitats were created or restored, and more than 2,000 acres of breeding habitats were improved to be managed for locally nesting waterfowl. Over 36 percent of the acreage that benefited was on public hunting areas. 11,000+ WATERFOWL BANDED California Waterfowl started banding mallards with the Department of Fish and Game in 1985. To date, more than 100,000 mallards have been banded through this summer banding program. Over the years, California Waterfowl s banding program has expanded and now includes extensive hen nest-trapping and banding, marking birds released from egg salvage facilities, and pintail banding. During the 2012 field season, more than 11,000 waterfowl were banded including 578 nest-trapped hen mallards, 3,743 egg-salvaged ducks, 3,891 bait-trapped mallards and 442 wood ducks. During the fall and spring banding periods, which target migrating pintail and wigeon, 1,926 pintail and 746 wigeon were captured and marked by CWA biologists. California Waterfowl and partners have now banded over 232,000 ducks in California. California WATERFOWL Banding Program - 2012 11,326 Birds Banded in 2012 10000 5000 0 40,200+ WOOD DUCKS HATCHED Since 1991, with the help of hundreds of volunteers and some extremely dedicated wood duck enthusiasts, the California Wood Duck Program has hatched more than 654,000 wood ducks. Nesting data from more than 5,500 nest boxes scattered around the state was gathered in 2012. We also rolled out a new California Wood Duck Membership Program to better organize and grow our efforts to increase and study wood duck populations throughout the Pacific Flyway. Yearly wood duck production - Over 654,000 Ducklings Produced since 1991 AR-3
AR-4 Hunting Heritage & Education Programs California Waterfowl s hunting heritage and education programs seek to recruit and retain the next generation of hunters and conservationists. Through efficient programming and dedicated partnerships, we were able to reach people young and old across California and spread the word about the value of waterfowl, wetlands and our hunting heritage. REGIONAL CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION CENTERS California Waterfowl made great strides in 2012 on a new initiative to establish a hunter education center at Grizzly Ranch and Denverton in the Suisun Marsh. The 1,744-acre complex will provide ample opportunity to host youth hunts and other events to recruit new hunters and teach the importance of conservation. Ground facilities include a full sporting clays course, bunk houses that sleep 10-12, classrooms and high quality hunting areas. CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL HUNT PROGRAM The California Waterfowl Hunt Program continued to provide quality hunting opportunities to hunters of all ages and abilities on lands otherwise unavailable for public use. Upwards of 250 hunts were offered at 75 premier properties encompassing more than 60,000 acres. Over 650 hunters enjoyed the program on private or exclusive lands from the Southern Oregon to Southern California. 25,000 YOUTH AND FAMILIES REACHED California Waterfowl demonstrated the value of wildlife habitat conservation and the critical role that hunters play to nearly 8,300 students through field trips, classroom presentations, hands-on projects and more. Camps, shoots, clinics, junior hunts and other outdoor adventures provided quality outdoor hunting and shooting experiences to more than 1,700 youth. Families enjoyed exciting games and conservation exhibits at festivals and outdoor expos, reaching more than 15,000 people. 5,000 Junior Duck Stamp Calendars were designed and distributed to classrooms and partnering agencies throughout the state. The total number of art entries submitted surpassed 3,500, a new record for the state and highest in the nation. TRAINING TOMORROW S LEADERS In addition to developing hunting skills, our camp programs are making lifelong conservationists by modeling essential character qualities and encouraging environmental stewardship and community service. College hunter camps provided hunting and hunter education opportunities to college students who had no firsthand experience with hunting, but are destined to become wildlife managers. College students and recent graduates are getting their start at California Waterfowl through internships, work experience programs and college chapter activities and Humboldt and Chico State and UC Davis. The Banding Program provided hands-on waterfowl research and field experience to wildlife students seeking careers in wildlife management. Dozens of youth and volunteer banders enjoyed time in the field learning about waterfowl and their habitats. High school students spent three days at Art Camp studying waterfowl biology and learning from professionals about Photoshop, wildlife photography, field sketching and decoy carving. Students were immersed in waterfowl hunting culture and taught the importance of responsible hunting and wildlife conservation. Partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Visitor Services internships were stationed at the Sacramento, Humboldt and Modoc national wildlife refuges, helping interns gain valuable work experience while helping to spread California Waterfowl s conservation message.
California Waterfowl continued its longstanding work in the political arena, particularly at the state Capitol in Sacramento. We also actively worked on waterfowl seasons and bag limits, public hunt programs and a variety of wetland water issues. Policy STATE LEGISLATION California Waterfowl partnered with many other conservation and sporting interests to most effectively lobby wildlife habitat and hunting-related bills of concern. Following were selected key state legislative actions: MALLARD BREEDING HABITAT Sponsored SB 749 to: 1) remove restrictions on landowners who wish to voluntarily establish nesting habitat on land fallowed as a result of a water transfer, and 2) facilitate greater input from licensed hunters on the hunt programs for state wildlife areas. REDUCED PENALTIES FOR MINOR F&G VIOLATIONS Sponsored SB 392 to: 1) allow unintentional waterfowl tagging violations to be infractions (rather than misdemeanors) and 2) provide greater clarity for when the possession of legally taken gamebirds ends. TAXES ON AMMUNITION Defeated AB 760 and AB 187, which would have placed new taxes on shotgun and rifle ammunition. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Secured exemptions for wetland habitat managers from proposed trapping restrictions (AB 789) UNFUNDED MOSQUITO CONTROL MANDATES Stopped AB 896, which would have required mosquito abatement best management practices on state wildlife areas without necessary funding. BURDENSOME AMMUNITION RESTRICTIONS Opposed measures to: 1) require a license for purchasing or transferring shotgun and rifle ammunition and 2) ban the internet or mail order sale (SB 53 and AB 48). INCREASED LIABILITY FOR SPORTING FIREARMS Opposed bills to increase civil or criminal liability for the misuse of one s sporting firearm by another person (SB 108 and AB 231). BAN ON CERTAIN SPORTING RIFLES Opposed SB 374 to reclassify semiautomatic rifles with detachable magazines as assault weapons. WORKING FOR WETLANDS Rising demand for water and less reliable supplies pose significant challenges to ensuring adequate water deliveries for wetlands and wildlife-friendly agriculture. California Waterfowl continued to work collaboratively with our Central Valley Joint Venture (CVJV) partners to address waterfowl habitat issues across California. KLAMATH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX WATER In coordination with refuge staff and other waterfowl conservation groups, we helped secure fall water deliveries and raise Congressional awareness of ongoing water problems. California Waterfowl is also supporting a proposed geothermal project that would provide low- or no-cost energy to enable the refuge to pump water to managed wetlands, when needed. BAY DELTA CONSERVATION PLAN California Waterfowl continues to work with our CVJV partners on ensuring that the BDCP fully analyzes any potential impacts to waterfowl habitat and provides appropriate mitigation measures. CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT IMPROVEMENT ACT (CVPIA) IMPLEMENTATION Working with our CVJV partners, we continue to seek full water deliveries mandated by CVPIA for Central Valley national wildlife refuges, state wildlife areas and private wetlands in Merced County. HUNTING OPPORTUNITY Whether it s waterfowl seasons and bag limits, public hunt programs, the use of sporting arms and ammunition or antihunting measures, California Waterfowl fights to protect and enhance hunting across the state on both public and private lands. California Waterfowl worked with the F&G Commission and Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) to protect public waterfowl hunting on Tomales Bay from a proposed closure. Our Regulations and Traditions Committee drafted several proposals to liberalize or create new seasons and bag limits for geese that were considered by the F&G Commission. California Waterfowl hosted a forum for public lands hunters, provided input to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and DFW on hunter preferences, and commented on various management plans for public lands. In coordination with our CVJV partners, California Waterfowl staff traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for adequate funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and waterfowl habitat programs under the Farm Bill. AR-5
Fund & Membership Development California Waterfowl s grassroots fundraisers help build our membership and, more importantly, support our conservation, education, legislative affairs and heritage programs. Goals Grow our membership in the hunting and conservation-minded communities. Increase funding and awareness for critical programs (waterfowl conservation, wetland enhancement, hunting heritage and government affairs). Membership Membership continues to remain strong with more than 18,000 total members. Grassroots fundraising banquets remain at the top of the list for membership recruitment with over 80 percent of members coming from these events. Life member or higher levels of enrollment increased by 179 members over the 2011-12 fiscal year. Grassroots Fundraising Grassroots fundraising events remained strong, bringing in over $1.5 million in net revenue. California Waterfowl held nearly 100 grassroots fundraising events. Over 13,000 people attended grassroots events last year. Development This past year saw the completion of the Ray Lewis California Waterfowl Program Center and Headquarters, with staff moving into the building in early 2013. This was the direct result of many successful fundraising efforts. By eliminating building lease costs, California Waterfowl is now able to allocate more funds toward the Association s programs, ultimately becoming a more sustainable and financially sound organization for generations to come. John Carlson, Jr., furthered his president s outreach at grassroots dinners, duck clubs and other regional events across the state. Support for our Corporate Partner Program remained strong with Federal Premium Ammunition, Tri-Tronics, Pro Line, Kruger Farms and Loyall Premium Dog Food by Nutrena partnering with us last year. In winter of 2013, California Waterfowl partnered with Ducks Unlimited, Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Fish and Game Commission to honor inductees at the Waterfowler s Hall of Fame event. Highest Net Dinners Walnut Creek Gridley Marin Dinner Fresno Pleasanton/Tri-Valley Contra Costa Napa/Sonoma North Grasslands Willows San Jose/South Bay Top Net/Gross Events Salinas Gun Club Bishop Hollister Land & Cattle Marin Dinner Contra Costa Redding Solano Rib Feed Santa Margarita Gustine Gun Club North Delta AR-6
Financial report California Waterfowl members, volunteers, partners and other supporters of our conservation programs will be pleased that the organization s program strength and financial health improved in fiscal year 2012-13. California Waterfowl s unconsolidated financial statements as of March 31 were audited by Crowe Horwath, LLP and deemed to present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the association in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Assets totaled $18,237,678, which is an increase of $11,425,587 over the prior year. Liabilities totaled $939,002, which is an increase of $197,854 over the prior year. Revenue raised during the year totaled $24,515,867, including $21,312,574 in unrestricted revenue and $3,203,293 in temporarily restricted revenue. Expenses incurred during the year totaled $13,288,136, which included program and supporting service expenses of $10,312,926, and $2,975,210 for direct fundraising activities. Much of this year s success in raising revenue is attributable to the hard work, dedication and commitment of California Waterfowl s grassroots supporters, major donors and our partnerships with federal and state agencies. Net proceeds raised as a result of local fundraising event efforts represented 8 percent of the total revenues and support. Another 90 percent was contributed through donations and grants. Funds from membership and other sources accounted for another 2 percent of our revenue. The charts on this page illustrate the sources of revenues and support as well as where funds were invested to successfully accomplish our mission. California Waterfowl is proud of our stewardship. A combined 86 percent of funds were designated for programs, including the Mallard Legacy, Pintail and Wood Duck programs as well as the education and legislative efforts we conduct to perpetuate and promote our hunting heritage program. Supporting service expenses were held to only 14 percent and account for fundraising, membership development and general and administrative expenses. California Waterfowl s success has been built upon the impassioned efforts of our volunteers, professional staff and our board of directors. Without the support of our members, donors and partners, we would not be able to continue with our shared mission of preserving waterfowl, wetlands, and our hunting heritage. Thank you to all who contributed to our programs in the past year. Operation Revenue Operation Expenses Donations & Grants 89.8% WATERFOWL & Wetland Programs 70.6% Other 1.7% Membership & Sponsorships 0.8% Fundraising Event Net Proceeds 7.7% Fundraising And Membership Development 9.2% General And Administration 4.8% Hunting Heritage 15.4% AR-7
Partners & Donors Corporate PARTNERS California Waterfowl s 2012-13 Corporate Partners have aligned with California Waterfowl to help expand our youth education, conservation and other missiondriven programs. The Corporate Partner Program is designed to develop mutually beneficial relationships with privatesector supporters, helping California Waterfowl raise funds as well as providing opportunities for those partners to get their products and services in front of over 18,000 members. Major Donors California Waterfowl s major donors provide the necessary funding to conserve waterfowl, wetlands and our outdoor heritage in California. The following individuals, foundations and companies provided $10,000 or more to support California Waterfowl programs in the 2012-13 fiscal year. Bank of Stockton Riley P. Bechtel Paul and Sandi Bonderson James R. Burroughs Cabela's John D. Carter Chambers Family Foundation CJ Berry Foundation Columbia Sportswear Cortopassi Family Foundation Paul L. Davies, Jr. John W. DeDominic Daniel Duckhorn Donna Egan Federal Premium Ammunition The Foothills Foundation W. Kurt Hauser The Herbst Foundation, Inc. The Hofmann Family Foundation The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation Kruger Farms Dean C. Lawrie Ron Leineke Loyall Premium Dog Food The late Dwight L. Merriman, Jr. Al Montna John Neerhout, Jr. Pro Line Manufacturing The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation Thomas A. Seeno Silicon Valley Community Foundation John M. Simmons Spanda Industrial Ned Spieker Henry F. Trione Tri-Tronics Angelo Tsakopoulos Program PARTNERS California Waterfowl s programs could not exist without the help of our valuable partners. Partnerships are vital to further our mission and help us grow. We thank all the agencies and organizations that partnered with us during the 2012-13 fiscal year. Bird Haven Ranch Birds Landing Hunting Preserve and Sporting Clays Black Point Sports Club California Conservation Fund California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Department of Water Resources California Retriever Training Association California Rice Commission Canadian Wildlife Service Center for Land-Based Learning Central Valley Joint Venture Conaway Ranch Chesapeake Gun Club Chickahominy Creek Ranch Cosumnes River Preserve Delta Waterfowl Ducks Unlimited Grassland Water District Humboldt State University Intermountain West Joint Venture Kids Outdoor Sports Camp Mandeville Island Mule Deer Foundation Mystic Lake Duck Club Natural Resources Conservation Service North Delta Conservancy NRA Foundation Pacific Flyway Decoy Association Pacific Gas and Electric Ramona Duck Club Rancho Esquon Solano County Parks and Recreation South Butte Hunting Club Tule Basin Stockton Trap and Skeet Suisun Resource Conservation District Tulare Basin Wetlands Association University of California, Davis University of Saskatchewan U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Geological Survey Western Outdoor News Wildlife Conservation Board Yolo Basin Foundation Yolo Land Trust AR-8